Week 2: Swimming swimming pools within the desert, 100 miles, and path magic!

To be sincere, after our first zero day in Julian, I wasn’t positive I used to be going to have the ability to power myself to get again on the path. Resting my physique felt unbelievable and going again out within the warmth with extra lengthy stretches of no water was not tremendous engaging. However, Conner and I had realized lots in our first week of mountain climbing the PCT that we had been prepared to use to this second week!

First and foremost, we in a short time realized some weight points that we had been in a position to clear up in Julian. For our resupply, we had a a lot better thought of how a lot meals we’d need per day and didn’t pack our total kitchen sink this time. We additionally realized how a lot water we each have to drink per mile to remain hydrated within the desert and stuffed up our bottles accordingly. Believe it or not, this took off about 20lbs.

A path angel named Professor drove us again to Scissors Crossing and we in a short time climbed uphill into some extraordinarily windy mountains, the worst we’ve had up to now. We tried to discover a spot with extra shelter however the wind nonetheless rocked our tent all night time. Even with the extreme wind the subsequent morning, the day began out sizzling and we had been grateful to come back throughout a water cache some path angels had created.

Today was an thrilling day as a result of not solely had been we going to get to see the long-lasting Eagle Rock however we had been additionally going to hit our first 100 mile marker on the PCT! Both of which I may hardly consider. Eagle Rock is a rock formation that appears similar to an eagle that I’ve seen numerous photographs of. To get to see it in particular person had me quickening my tempo.

The panorama shortly modified from rocky mountain trails to gorgeous, yellow, grassy fields. It nonetheless blows my thoughts how shortly the surroundings modifications every day. Before we knew it, we got here throughout one other hiker taking photographs of a spot on the bottom and there it was, mile 100 spelled out with little stones. An immense sense of happiness and aw washed over me as I stared on the floor. 100 miles, unbelievable. That feeling lasted for all however two seconds earlier than a special actuality hit, 2550 miles left to go. Can we do that? Can we do what we simply did just a little over 25 extra instances? Looking again on my first week of the PCT, even with the extreme warmth, lengthy water carries, and ever rising ache in my ft, I assumed to myself, “we got this.” We took our photographs and continued mountain climbing.

Quickly after we hit the 100 mile marker we got here throughout the magnificent Eagle Rock! I had pictured this second of standing in entrance of Eagle Rock greater than I had standing in entrance of the 100 mile marker. It is a spot that I’ve seen in so many vlogs, blogs, books, and now right here I used to be making my very own reminiscences of this second. I assumed that perhaps the sensation of “I can’t believe I am on the PCT would ware off in week 1, but here I am in week 2 staring at Eagle Rock with my own eyes and thinking to myself, “I can’t believe I am on the PCT.” I sit down proper in entrance of it and pull out my paints and paintbrush.

We started seeing some acquainted faces the next days as we began to get a rhythm with mountain climbing. We would speak about issues we had seen and what we had been trying ahead to up forward. The subsequent large factor was “Mike’s Place” a facet path that took you to large containers of water and potential path magic. Other than the free pie at Mom’s from Julian, Conner and I had not acquired path magic but and we had been excited by what it may probably be.

When we stroll as much as Mike’s Place, we see 4 large tanks of water which is already kind of path magic by itself. Below the tanks is a purple cooler. I attempt to not get my hopes up in case it’s empty however after I open the cooler, it’s crammed with ice and beer. TRAIL MAGIC!!! Conner and I sit below the shade of a tree with two of our path pals switching forwards and backwards between beer and water. Once we’re completed, we go away some money for Mike within the donation field and proceed up the mountain to make camp for the night time. We discover probably the most stunning camp spots up to now with large views of the valley and mountains. Conner and I make our first ramen bomb (on the spot ramen combined with on the spot mashed potatoes) and I paint my day by day image because the solar units.

The subsequent morning, I get up to a brilliant orange beam hitting my eyes. I sit up and see probably the most beautiful dawn creeping over the mountains. I open the doorways of our tent and Conner and I take pleasure in our protein bars as we watch the solar rise.

Today’s stretch of desert is lengthy with little to no water sources. However, a 15 minute detour to path angel DeBenedettis led us not solely to path magic however to a complete freaking pool and trampoline! It felt surreal seeing THAT a lot water in a single spot within the desert and we stayed longer than we most likely ought to have. The remainder of the day was sizzling and uphill however our spirits had been excessive all day lengthy. How may they not be after swimming in a pool within the desert!

The subsequent morning, we awakened excited as a result of at present we had been heading into Idyllwild by way of Paradise Valley Cafe (PVC). PVC is rumored to have one of the best burgers on the PCT whereas Idyllwild is persistently ranked as one of many high city stops alongside the PCT. It was an thrilling morning. We shortly made our means down the mountain and had been shocked by one other stone mile marker, 150! Once we get to the highway, we hike one mile off the path to PVC. Seeing the purple PVC signal has my mouth watering and I really feel 10 instances extra thirsty than I did a minute in the past. Once we get the menu I see precisely what I’ve been craving all week, a turkey sandwich and fries. If you recognize me, you recognize that one in every of my favourite meals in the entire world is a strong turkey sandwich and this one didn’t disappoint.

We get a hitch into Idyllwild from path angel Grumpy who additionally provides just a little tour of the city. I can already inform I’m going to adore it right here. There are tons of enjoyable retailers with cool eating places and cute structure and the mountains are RIGHT there! We get all settled into our room with some snacks from the grocery retailer and I move out instantly.

The subsequent day, we head into city for an enormous breakfast on the Red Kettle and a few good quaint putzing round city. We see a bunch of our pals additionally having fun with their zero day and get a pizza dinner with our pals Roman and Maddie. After dinner, Conner and I seize an enormous pint of Tillmook ice cream together with some extra snacks and head again to the room. Before we head to mattress I’ve the belief that not like our zero day in Julian, my physique feels nicely rested and barely healed. After my first zero day, I couldn’t deliver myself to consider getting again on path. It’s type of wild how my physique already feels stronger and extra resilient two weeks into mountain climbing the PCT.

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